How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 361

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“….”

 

I had expected that they would somehow try to bind themselves and me together, and sure enough. It’s astounding.

 

Moreover, they know. That I am the core of the command. They clearly know that the core of all Pleroma annihilation operations is none other than me.

 

‘…This is dangerous.’

 

Both for my safety and the Empire’s safety.

 

Of course, now is not the time when I must hide my existence and activities completely. Even if I’m suspected of being Nicolaus. If I had to hide absolutely, I wouldn’t have come this far, and I would have deliberately failed tests to live inconspicuously. High risk, high return is now the norm. If you want to gain fame, you must take corresponding risks, and their current interest in me is just one of those risks. Above all, they would have been watching me constantly with the Pleroma label attached, even if I hadn’t been as actively involved as I am now.

 

If there’s anyone who would first covet my social success, it would be the Pleroma. Though it’s no one’s will or intention, they can benefit from the synergy effect because of me.

 

But unfortunately, I am not a Pleroma. Even if I can drink blood to heal damaged parts and become stronger than anyone, I am not the same as them. Our essence is different. I opened my mouth with a resolute voice.

 

“I request permission to speak despite the rudeness.”

 

“Count Ascanien is not a Pleroma.”

 

A suddenly confident voice was heard.

 

I widened my eyes and turned my head. Even though permission hadn’t been granted yet, Mecklenburg had opened his mouth. Leo’s wide eyes turned toward him. Narke, sitting to my right, also looked at him.

 

At that cold tone, the ministers’ gazes turned to Mecklenburg. The old man looked at him silently before opening his mouth.

 

“If it’s not presumptuous, I’d like to hear Lord Mecklenburg’s words, Prime Minister.”

 

“No, I believe that single statement from earlier has already conveyed all meaning completely. Count Ascanien is not a Pleroma. He has not been tainted by Pleroma ideology, does not drink blood, and is more loyal to His Majesty and the fatherland than anyone.”

 

The Prime Minister finished speaking resolutely. To receive such an evaluation from none other than the Imperial Prime Minister – it brings back memories of last year with new feelings. The old man nodded with a peaceful face and said.

 

“We Pleroma are also His Majesty’s subjects who wish for the German Empire’s existence and peace.”

 

“Count Ascanien does not threaten the safety of the subjects.”

 

Mecklenburg, who immediately grasped the meaning of the other’s words, cut him off with a cold voice. Maintaining a composed expression unlike his voice, he continued.

 

“Millions of lives have owed their existence to Count Ascanien so far. Do you understand this weight, Bishop?”

 

“….”

 

I had to desperately try to hide my surprise. What the hell did this bastard eat wrong… That was my immediate thought. However, I could soon fully deduce that his words were indeed sincere.

 

From what I’ve observed so far, Mecklenburg is fundamentally loyal to the Emperor, and as such, he prioritizes the values that the Emperor ostensibly cherishes. So he, unbelievably considering his past behavior, values the safety of the subjects. Here’s where a problematic difference arises. The standard of subjects that he and other pro-Emperor politicians think of differs from my standard. He ‘knows’ that rampagers are victims of the Pleroma, but he defined them as enemies to be eliminated because they spread the rampage phenomenon to other subjects and waste the national treasury in the process. How shortsighted that judgment is was already revealed in previous discussions about firearm use, so he doesn’t oppose it anymore, but his previous thinking was like this.

 

Returning to the main point, the talk about subject safety and such was certainly something he could say given his political inclinations. However…

 

‘…This person is defending me?’

 

“Your Excellency. You are currently here as an observer.”

 

The Prime Minister stopped Mecklenburg.

 

Defending me. With that personality, me? Even ignoring authorization procedures? No matter how much he and I have a common enemy in Adrian Ascanien, this was uncharacteristic of him. Wasn’t he always the type to wear an annoying smile and speak gently only when absolutely necessary? I clearly remember him passing all instructions to Deputy Captain Erich Reichenau and stepping back to play the good guy, so why…

 

Despite his blunt words, did he actually like Nicolaus from the beginning? Or was the consciousness of ‘we are allies since we have a common enemy’ greater than I thought? Or perhaps it’s just that his antipathy toward the Pleroma is strong, and I’m the only one misunderstanding it as him defending me. The thought didn’t last long. Soon the old man’s characteristically hoarse voice flowed out.

 

“Walking the broad path and passing through the wide gate is easy. Those who walk the narrow path often become objects of misunderstanding. Even when it is God’s will.”

 

“….”

 

My head is becoming dizzy.

 

I noticed it from when they used that out-of-body rhetoric about ‘what the Imperial government defines with terrible names like rampage, grave robbing, and kidnapping.’ They believe their crimes are right. No, let me be more precise. The Empire defines it as crime, but they consider it salvation – that’s what they meant. They’re saying we simply don’t understand God’s true will. This isn’t just heresy. The religious term ‘heresy’ cannot explain their harm. They said they’re a religious organization, but the Pleroma is already an interest group. The Bishop of the Diocese before me is not a religious person but a businessman with the demeanor of an administrator. Isn’t that so? The atmosphere has already become sharply cold.

 

“It would be meaningless to say more about how we truly serve the Empire and its subjects in this place. We knew our values differ from the Empire’s values, and we didn’t come with the intention of persuading you. However, let me explain one thing.”

 

The old man’s gaze turned to me.

 

“Becoming a Pleroma has nothing to do with ideology. The beginning of Pleroma was complete alone. Have you heard of one who rose from the grave?”

 

“Count Ascanien has never died.”

 

“Ah, admirable.”

 

As soon as Mecklenburg’s protest ended, a scratching sound burst out. At the attitude of dismissing a child’s question, Mecklenburg’s mouth opened and his brow furrowed. The meaning was clear. Whether I colluded with the Pleroma or not, whether I agreed with Pleroma ideology or not, I am definitely a Pleroma by their standards.

 

At the suddenly changed atmosphere, I raised my head. The old man’s eyes were fixed on me. The aura emanating from him with his warm face reached me coldly.

 

“I understand the objection, but this one thing must be made clear. I do not recognize just anyone as a Pleroma.”

 

The moment Mecklenburg grimaced and tried to open his mouth again, the Prime Minister gestured to the guards and shouted.

 

“Stop this. Your Excellency is speaking about matters unrelated to negotiation. If you intend to continue talking about things unrelated to negotiations and make unnecessary threats, we can no longer respond to this.”

 

When the guard standing near the wall approached the bishop, the bishop raised his hand as if to stop him. The safety restraints on his wrinkled skin gleamed. Since he showed again that he had no intention of harming us, we couldn’t stop him with force if we wanted to maintain this meeting. The Prime Minister waved his hand sharply at the guard with sharp eyes.

 

Since this was the first time meeting Pleroma in an official setting, apart from strongly expressing our position, the Empire would give the Pleroma sufficient speaking rights. Now that all their words become information, the Empire’s reason for agreeing to negotiations was also to obtain information through dialogue with the Pleroma. However, anyone could see they had crossed the line. In short, this is it. Instead of giving us information we could combine and deduce well, they were presenting propaganda that would become seeds of discord for us.

 

“Count Ascanien, you cannot help but be a natural-born Pleroma.”

 

Yes. For instance, Ascanien is a Pleroma. He is on our side while realizing your justice. The Empire’s peace is maintained by the Pleroma. Don’t you know? The moment the words continue feels like an eternity. The Prime Minister and ministers hardened their expressions and opened their mouths with voices full of strong protest. I smiled, and the Bishop of the Diocese before me also smiled. Only the eerie voice that followed pierced my ears.

 

“How could one who is complete alone not be glorious?”

 

Beeeeeep―

 

Quiet silence falls. The world heard through my ears has stopped, but what’s before my eyes moves quickly. My heart hardens with a thud. In this place. Of all places, in this place? However, one thing is certain. Whatever happens after this, I have no intention of giving them clues. I looked at the Bishop of the Diocese’s gentle smile and rounded my eyes.

 

I can see Leo’s expression, who had been watching me, change completely. The mana that had been surrounding Leo’s core rushed like a tide into my core. No, it didn’t rush in… My core devoured the mana that Leo’s artifact had been supplying. Leo’s expression became utterly bewildered, so I couldn’t help but know.

 

“…!”

 

Something cold seeped in from my side and spread along my spine. Someone’s hand extended from the right touched my skin. An unknown force spreading through my neck, the hand containing it wrapped around the back of my head and bent my body sideways. Perhaps it was supporting me. My head was turned.

 

―”Let’s meet after you sleep and wake up.”

 

A calm voice lodged in my head. The last thing I saw before my eyes closed was the panicked faces of people looking at me, and Narke’s green ring touching my cheek.

 

* * *

 

Mecklenburg felt his heart pounding.

 

This one thing must be made clear. I do not recognize just anyone as a Pleroma.

 

The Bishop of the Diocese called Ascanien a heaven-sent Pleroma, and that is not a derogatory term as we think. This is recognition of ability and glorious praise. The highest compliment they can give, but from Nicolaus Ernst’s position, the worst slander.

 

As soon as the Pleroma’s abusive words ended, Ascanien’s body tilted, and he fell toward the Magician of the Farnese Family who was sitting next to him. Farnese hurriedly grabbed his head and shoulders, but Ascanien already seemed to have lost consciousness. Farnese raised his head with a panicked face.

 

“Actually, Count Ascanien’s condition hasn’t been good, so it was decided he would recuperate for a week starting the day before yesterday. This meeting seems to have been too much of a burden.”

 

Farnese’s voice trembled at the end.

 

This meeting was too much of a burden? Surely it would be difficult to listen quietly to their insults, but he looked healthy? That Nicolaus would feel burdened by such a meeting – that can’t be right.

 

But… before hearing the news that he couldn’t hear sounds, when we talked, Ascanien showed no different attitude than usual. Now I know he acted out that lie. Then if he had only been hiding it until now? Even if he’s Nicolaus Ernst, he couldn’t have been untroubled by the label that had been chasing him his whole life, and if he actually found it unbearable? If such emotions were the motivation for creating the identity of Nicolaus Ernst?

 

“….”

 

Yes, I admit it. Actually, I already thought it might be so. The reason I poured out actions I wouldn’t normally take might have been because I already suspected this. Mecklenburg swallowed. The old man was silently smiling while staring at Ascanien, and the civil servants’ faces grew increasingly grim. They continued spouting words unrelated to negotiations and finally caused harm because of them. The Prime Minister exhaled long and swallowed with a rigid posture. Then, while the medical team took Ascanien away, he questioned the Bishop of the Diocese.

 

“What do you think about this? Didn’t the Pleroma diplomatic mission come to negotiate today?”

 

“We had no plan to burden him, but to be so shocked and collapse – we’re sorry it turned out this way. Returning to the main point, we made this request hoping we could raise mages like Count Ascanien on earth to contribute to the Empire. But it seems we won’t see eye to eye on this.”

 

“Regulations on Pleroma missionary activities will continue in the future. Even if the Pleroma doesn’t continue missionary work through criminal acts, considering the harm the sect has inflicted on the Empire so far, we cannot help but prevent the expansion of your influence. We do not compromise on crime.”

 

The Prime Minister immediately rejected the Pleroma’s demands. As expected, this negotiation will break down. There’s not a single point where compromise could occur. The Empire simply came to this meeting to obtain information from these Pleroma and do its best for the safety of its subjects.

 

One of the Bishops of the Diocese opened his mouth.

 

“Then let us make a second proposal. We would like to propose cooperation.”

 

“Since you’ve already spoken once, now listen to the Empire’s demands. The Pleroma has contaminated Imperial land, seriously violating the subjects’ right to survival.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“Stop contaminating the land and rivers. I trust you know well about the damages and human-material losses from this without us having to say everything. Finance Minister.”

 

The Prime Minister received a file from the minister. He probably intended to mention the damage amount, but that attempt was immediately cut off. Another Bishop of the Diocese sitting next to the old man opened his mouth.

 

“We also know that many people in the Empire suffer from our drugs. That’s why we asked you to let us legally raise our Pleroma on Imperial land.”

 

Back to square one in the end. Mecklenburg clenched his fists. The empty seat on the right felt particularly large. It’s not like Ascanien, who came as an observer, had been continuing to speak in this meeting. Only Mecklenburg would feel this way, but with even Nicolaus Ernst gone, this place was filled with nothing but tension.

 

‘…To be honest in my assessment, our side is being led around by the Pleroma side.’

 

Our administrative side, accustomed to normal and common-sense diplomacy, and the leadership of a sect that was crazy from the beginning were incompatible from the start. Even when our side tries to proceed according to procedures, they steal all our words and continue with absurd claims, making it quite troublesome. Even in secret negotiation meetings, there would never be another diplomatic mission that acts so unreasonably. The Prime Minister, who had been wearing the face of talking to a wall, rejected them with an even more resolute tone.

 

“You’re speaking nonsense. We do not compromise on crime. If you don’t stop, our Empire will have no choice but to respond more firmly to the Pleroma than now.”

 

“Then we have no choice but to ask for understanding. I believe this has been a sufficient answer to the Empire’s demands. May we make the second proposal now? This is the end of our proposals, so from now on we’ll listen to the Empire’s position.”

 

“….”

 

If we were talking with a normal organization, the negotiations would end here. Do they think this is a parliament where factional fighting occurs? There’s no reason to continue tolerating opponents who behave so rudely. But since we now have the Empire’s enemy before us, we couldn’t throw away that opportunity, and they seemed to know that fact too.

 

The Prime Minister gestured to his aide behind him. The aide briefly whispered and stepped back again.

 

“Very well.”

 

“Thank you. We Pleroma want to help strengthen the German Empire’s power against foreign threats. So we’ll lend our Pleroma elite forces for the Empire’s safety.”

 

The Prime Minister was now wearing a cold smile.

 

“How many?”

 

“We’ll send as many as you want.”

 

“We refuse.”

 

No one spoke about the reason. There was no reason to kindly answer questions for the Pleroma, and everyone would know the reason. If that many Pleroma entered the Empire, there would certainly be much the Empire could gain. We could obtain both information and power from them. But the moment they’re incorporated into our military, we must assume our information would also be handed over. No matter how thoroughly we maintain security, it’s difficult to control the feet and mouths of many, not just one or two.

 

“Our Pleroma failed to gain trust. We must give you trust before having a proper discussion.”

 

The Bishop of the Diocese of Munich-Freising who said this continued in a solemn voice.

 

“The Lord of hosts says: ‘Behold, I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—behold, he is coming.'”

 

The Prime Minister answered dryly.

 

“Malachi.”

 

“This is the revelation given to us Pleroma. The messenger of the covenant we have waited for is now with us, and therefore the Lord we seek will soon come to his temple.”

 

Mecklenburg narrowed his eyes. He must have felt the same doubt. One of the ministers opened his mouth.

 

“…The messenger of the covenant and the Lord we seek are the same being.”

 

“According to our prophecy, that is not the case.”

 

“….”

 

The politicians’ faces hardened further. As it continued to sink in that they were dealing with thoroughly insane individuals, tension crept up his spine just like when he first encountered them. Mecklenburg looked at the Magician of the Farnese Family. He merely gazed at the bishops of the diocese with a faint smile, showing no reaction whatsoever. He had heard the man came from Vatican’s seminary, yet the person who should be the most religious among anyone on their side showed no response to these words. Why? Mecklenburg swallowed and turned his head. The acting Minister of Magic opened his mouth.

 

“I would like to speak. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. Weren’t Malachi’s prophecies already fulfilled in the New Testament?”

 

“Of course they were, but we are waiting for a new covenant.”

 

A new covenant—were they saying they would rewrite the New Testament? While Mecklenburg kept his mouth firmly shut and fell into thought, they continued speaking.

 

“We have certainly brought many trials to the Empire. However, that is not a signal that we wish to be at odds with the Empire. We are at a time when we must join hands as one people against foreign powers. To avoid having our true intentions doubted, we must show something that is like our very heart.”

 

The Bishop of the Diocese looked around at everyone, smiled, and said:

 

“So, Prime Minister, there is one envoy who has not yet come here. He should be at the Imperial Palace checkpoint right now—would you permit his entry to this location?”

 

Though these were all incomprehensible words, right now every bit of it was information for them. The Prime Minister exchanged glances with the ministers and nodded.

 

“I will permit it.”

 

Kwaaaaang―

 

As soon as the answer fell, a thunderous roar erupted. The moment the gale obscured his senses, Mecklenburg drew his wand and shot up from his seat. Everyone except Narke Farnese had risen, and everyone’s wands except his were pointed in one direction. Mecklenburg squinted his eyes, blocking the wind with one arm as he aimed his wand at one person.

 

A Mage in White Light who had appeared surrounded by light was bowing his head while leaning on a staff. Surrounded by light, his face couldn’t be seen properly. The only thing visible—his glass-like transparent white hair and skin—was eerie.

 

The Bishop of the Diocese gestured to him with a satisfied expression.

 

“Let us hand over the messenger of the covenant to the Empire. How about it?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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